High-achieving students who plan to become teachers now have a new financial aid opportunity available to them. The Teacher Education Scholars Program provides a $15,000 per year award, which covers tuition, room and board and books for each scholar. Applications for the program are available online.

Students can now apply for the Teacher Education Scholars Program by completing the online application for state aid. Applications will be accepted through September 15, 2013 and supporting documents may be submitted through October 15, 2013 for the 2013-14 school year.

Incoming freshmen who apply must have a minimum 28 ACT composite score and must have graduated from high school with at least a 3.5 grade point average. If already a college student, then the student must have a minimum 28 ACT composite score on a test taken prior to entering the College of Education and a minimum 3.5 grade point average on their college coursework. Recipients must agree to teach in a Mississippi public school district for at least five years.

“The Teacher Education Scholars Program was designed to help the state create and retain the best teachers,” Gov. Bryant said. “I hope individuals meeting the qualifications and wishing to enter the teaching field will take this opportunity to begin a rewarding career.”

"The Teacher Education Scholars Program enables high-performing students an opportunity to pursue a college degree without the worry of how to finance it and with the satisfaction of knowing they will make a tremendous difference to the schoolchildren of Mississippi upon graduation,” said Dr. Hank M. Bounds, Commissioner of Higher Education. “Schools can look forward to having these talented and dedicated individuals in the classroom in a few years.”

Because a student may submit only one online application for state aid each aid year, any student interested in applying for the program but has already submitted a current year state application (since January 1, 2013) should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at 601-432-6997 (toll-free at 800-327-2980) or sfa@ihl.state.ms.us to add the Teacher Education Scholars Program to their application. Unfortunately, this cannot be done through the “Update a 2013-2014 Application” link on the website.

The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.